Allied debate raged for nearly a year between American and British senior military echelons over European strategy. British, with traditional power in Mediterranean region, viewed its importance on equal par with western Europe. Axis defeat in this region will enable Allied forces to invade the Balkans and Eastern Europe, thereby preventing potential postwar Soviet domination of that area. Americans desired a direct path, with invasion of western Europe in early-1943, thus began stockpiling men and supplies onto British Isles.

Overall Allied strategy settled in July 1942 that North African campaign will take precedence over western Europe invasion (besides, there were insufficient men and supplies for a 1943 Europe invasion). Next came debates over implementation, British wanted main invasion effort to land at Bone-Tunisia (150 miles from capitol Tunis), thus severing Axis supply lines from Italy. Americans feared high casualties from German air/sea counter-attacks, thus proposed Casablanca-Morocco to vest invasion effort. These regions (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) part of French North Africa colonial possessions, hence defended by Vichy French Forces allied with Nazi Germany. American and British compromised on 3 simultaneous invasion points : 1) Western Task Force invade Casablanca-Morocco, 2) Central Task Force land at Oran-Algeria, 3) Eastern Task Force seize Algiers. Opération Torch : Les alliés débarquent en Afrique du Nord (French site) - www.interet-general.info/article.php3?id_article=162

Inset 1 : US Major General Patton and Rear Admiral Hewitt on USS Augusta in preparation for North Africa landings. General's aids in background are wearing inflatable life-preservers around their abdomen. USS Augusta (CA-31) Operation Torch (North Africa Invasion) - www.internet-esq.com/ussaugusta/torch/index.htm

Rollover : 8 Nov 1942, commencement of Operation Torch : Central and Eastern Task Forces escorted by Royal Navy, feigned its destination route (German thought convoy was heading for either Malta, Tripoli, or Suez), was not attacked en-route before making surprised landings at Oran and Algiers. Sporadic fighting broke out with pro-German French Vichy forces, but they were compelled to surrender by Nov 11th. Operation Torch - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Torch

Western Task Force (including VF-9 fighter squadron of USS Ranger depicted in this model) escorted by US Navy, sailed directly from US, its landing force commanded by WW2-fame US Gen. George Patton. Vichy French forces staunchly opposed US landings with air and artillery strikes. Patton and his troops assaulted Moroccan targets (Casablanca, Port Lyautey, Safi, Fedala), and true to form he messaged Allied headquarters that "he has landed and is kicking the French asses" ! World War II Maps - www.historylink101.com/1/world_war_II/maps_2.htm

Inset 2 : US landings at Cap de Fedala northeast of Casablanca, light resistance at beachhead, but heavy fighting ensued near the city. Algeria-French Morocco Battle - www.army.mil/cmh-pg/brochures/algeria/algeria.htm

11 Nov 1942 : Admiral Jean Francois Darlan (Vichy French North Africa commander), after his capture in Algiers issued ceasefire order to all Vichy French personnel. To enticed Vichy French prisoners to join Allied cause, they were allowed to enlist in Free French Forces under French Gen. Charles De Gaulle. ex-Vichy Adm. Darlan was then appointed Allied French Commissioner of French North Africa (De Gaulle flustered in not being consulted on this appointment, but acceded to its military practicality), but Darlan did not enjoy this title long, on 24 Dec 1942 he was assassinated by a French monarchist. François Darlan - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darlan

Vichy France Adm. Darlan surrender order in French North Africa set off confusion among French ranks and immediate reaction from Axis partners Germany and Italy. Some French units obeyed surrender order, while others remained loyal to Axis cause. Italy, always ready for a easy land grab, seized island of Corsica from France. Germany requested Vichy France to allow mass transit of German troops from Italy into Tunisia on pretext of helping remaining Vichy French allies. Vichy France declined request, whereupon Germans occupied Vichy France and sent troops into Tunisia to bolster its Panzer Armee Afrika. One consequence was scuttling of French fleet on 27 Nov 1942 in Toulon to prevent its capture by incoming German forces. Scuttling of the French fleet in Toulon - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scuttling_of_the_French_fleet_in_Toulon